Ear-ring



(No Model.)

T. F. GAYNOR-.-

EAR RING.

No. 483,214. Patented Sept. 2'7, 1892.

9 ,D mun-n l/VVENTOI? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS F. GAYNOR, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

EAR-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 483,214, dated September 27, 1892.

Application filed Fehmary 27, 1892. Serial No. 423,037- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. GAYNOR, of Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in Ear-Rings, of which the following is a description, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to that class of earrings of which a diamond or an imitation transparent stone constitutes the main feature of ornament intended to be suspended from the ear and with which the setting and fastening are used only for the purpose of se curing and holding the stone in a proper and attractive position therefrom. In this class of ornaments the majority of settings now in general use consists of a conical or cylindrical shaped series of prongs, the ends of which are adapted to clasp the stone by its periphery or girdle in such a manner as to expose all of the front part of the stone to view and as much as possible of the back part and leave the prongs of" sufficient dimensions to allow them to have the requisite strength to securely embrace the stone. The prongs are usually secured at their bases to a ring by being soldered thereto, or else by being made integral therewith. The fastening usually consists of a loop of wire to which the setting is loosely connected by means of a link or two, and the fastening has one of its ends bent in the form of a hook, which is adapted to engage with the other end of the fastening after the manner of jewelry-pins, safety-pins, and the like. I am also aware that settings in which a part of the back portion of a jewel is exposed to view have been designed and also settings provided with ear-fastenings which have been entirely above the level of the jewel, neither of which I claim.

The object of my invention is therefore to provide a new form of setting and fastening that will allow as much as possible of both the front'and back parts of the stone to be seen without obstruction of any kind, except where the presence of the setting only becomes to a minimum degree an obstruction so far as impairing the brilliancy of the stone is concerned. 7

The invention therefore consists in providing a narrow band V-shaped in cross-section or a band having one or two series of prongs adapted to clasp the stone by its girdlein such a manner as to allow as much as possible of the stone to be visible from all directions an (1 so as to allow the light to fall thereon from all directions, the importance of which will be demonstrated more fully hereinafter.

Figure 1 represents one form of regulation diamond setting now in general use. Fig. 2 represents another form of setting nowin general use, and is some modification of either one of these two styles of setting that forms the basis of almost every ear-drop now worn or used. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of my improved setting. Fig. 4 represents a front elevation of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 representsa side elevation of another form of myimprovement in which the prongs are arranged in a zigzag position upon each side of the band and upon each side of the girdle of the jewel. Fig. 6 shows a plain band setting without any prongs, but of a V shape where it fits upon the girdle of the jewel and by means of which the latter is held in position. Fig. 7 shows the band with prongs projecting from one side of the band only. Fig. 8 represents a top view of the jointed portion of a fastening shown in Figs. 6 and 7 developed upon the line a b and of enlarged size. Fig. 9 represents a crosssection of the setting shown in Fig. 7 through the lines 0 cl and of enlarged dimensions.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

This invention therefore consists, as already stated, in providing a narrow V-shaped band A, as seen in Figs. 6 and 9, which is fitted around upon the edge B of the stone B, the band A being provided with prongs A, by means of which the stone is securely held in position. The band A is provided with a link 0, having a neck 0, by means of which the band A and the link 0 are connected together. The fastening D is provided with a link D, by means of which the fastening and the setting are loosely connected together through the ring 0. One end 1) of the fastening D is intended to be inserted through the perforation in the lobe of the ear of the wearer, the other end D being sprung open for the purpose of permitting this to be done-- to a position similar to that shown in Fig. 7. It resumes its normal position by a spring-ten sion, and the hooked shape of the end D serves as a catch to .prevent accidental misplacement. In Fig. 7 a series of prongs A are shown as intended to hold the front part of the stone when it is desired to out the band A away to a minimum. In Figs. 3 and 4 the prongs are shown upon both edges of the band, and in Fig. 5 the prongs are shown upon both edges of the band in a zigzag position with reference to each other, enabling as much as possible of the stone to be seen and reducing the dimension of the band to a minimum degree. In Fig. 6 the band is shown as having no prongs, its crosssection being similar in form to the section shaded in Fig. 9-that is, substantially V- shaped.

By means of my improved setting it can be seen how a precious stone out with facets for the purpose of reflecting and refracting the rays-of light can display all of its reflecting and prismatic effects to a maximum degree and with a minimum amount of obstruction to either the direct or deflected rays on account of the band-shaped form of the setting, or taken together with the prongs with which it is provided, which allows it to be cut away to a minimum size and dimension. Making the ear-fastening of the shape substantially shown and described it can be seen how all of the fastening can be placed entirely above and clear of the back of the stone and yet admit of its insertion through or removal from thelobe of the ear, as well as if made in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Whenever it is necessary to clean the surface of the stone, this can be done very readily, as the entire surface of the stone is accessible, except the small part which the setting incloses, which is insignificant in amount. If it is desirable to show part of the girdle or periphery of the stone from the front, this, too, can be accomplished by forming the band as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4, in which. case the stone would be held by the prongs alone and would be touched by the band at no other point except where the prongs made contact with the stone. Asjewels of this character are worn for purposes of personal adornment alone and as they are valued according to the degree of. brilliancy which they possess, it can be understood that the form of setting which allows them to display their effects in this line to the best advantage is the one to be considered the more suitable for the purpose, and as it has been shown herein that the one which least obstructs the light to or from the stone is the best one for this purpose and as it can be seen that my improved setting does this to a minimum degree its value and utility can be seen without further demonstration.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in an ear-ring carrying a jewel, of a narrow V-shaped band adapted to fit over and clasp the jewel at its girdle, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in an ear-ring carrying a jewel, of the narrow V-shaped band adapted to fit over and clasp the jewel at its girdle and being provided with a link and a fastening connected by the link with the band, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, in an ear-ring, of a narrow V-shaped band provided with a series of prongs projecting from each of the side edges and adapted to fit over and clasp a jewel at its girdle and having a link, and an ear-fastening also provided with a link loosely connected with the link of the band, substantially as specified.

THOMAS F. GAYNOR.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. FITZGERALD, KATIE M. FITZGERALD. 

